Bonus Idea: Fresh Fruit
Last, but not least is fresh fruits & veggies. All fruit and vegetables are naturally gluten-free so long as they havent been coated or processed with any extra ingredients .
- FRUITS: Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, bananas, cuties/clementines, oranges, grapes, apple slices, mango, kiwi, watermelon, canteloupe, avocados, etc. All the fruits!
- VEGGIES: Carrots, celery sticks, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, snap peas, jicama, etc.
SHOP SOME OF OUR FAVES:
Annies Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks
Any bunny-shaped treat is already bound to be a big hit for kids, but these organic fruit snacks are equal parts adorable and delicious. Vitamin C and real fruit juice star in This variety pack comes with four flavorsstrawberry, berry, tropical and citrus. Introduce your kids to even more fruit flavors with rainbow fruit toaston gluten-free bread, of course!
Popcorn With Fruit Chocolate And Peanuts
Popcorn is a gluten-free whole grain and good source of fiber, which can help you feel full .
For a snack, lightly drizzle air-popped popcorn with melted dark chocolate and toss in fiber-rich dried fruit, such as dried cranberries or cherries. Add peanuts for a good source of healthy fat and plant-based protein .
Chocolate and peanuts are naturally gluten-free. However, some may have additives, so be sure to choose products that are certified gluten-free.
Read Also: California Pizza Kitchen Gluten Free
Gluten Free Snack Ideas
Ive written about this before because it has been one of the hardest things to adjust to since having a child who is on a gluten free diet. Breakfasts are fairly easy to accommodate, as are lunch and supper, but the snacks and treats I run into trouble with.
I need ideas of things that we can grab quickly or bring with us when we go out. Also, my son is growing like a weed and like any growing boy, he is hungry almost all of the time!
I have been adding to my list of gluten free snack ideas over time and have made it into a . I find that having the list somewhere prominent like my fridge helps jog my memory. That way, I can refer to it whenever Im stuck to think of what to include in the kids lunches or offer for after school snacks.
Fruit And Nut Tortilla Roll
For this snack, choose a tortilla made with gluten-free whole grains, such as brown rice, buckwheat, or teff .
Warm the tortilla briefly in the oven, then spread one side with a thin layer of chunky, unsweetened almond butter. Top with fresh berries or half of a diced apple and roll the tortilla tightly.
Also Check: Jason’s Deli Gluten Free
Rice Cakes With Peanut Butter
Rice cakes with peanut butter are a simple and healthy snack option that tastes good too. The peanut butter definitely makes the rice cake more flavorful, so your kids wont complain that it doesnt taste sweet enough. Just make sure you find a rice cake thats made solely from rice and not any other ingredient to ensure theyre gluten-free.
Toast With Beans And Olive Oil
Some gluten-free breads become dry quickly, but toasting can make them more palatable .
To make a satisfying, protein-rich snack, heat canned navy beans and spread them over toast. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. The toast can also be topped with fresh herbs.
To avoid gluten contamination from toasters, its a good idea to invest in a new one and only use it for gluten-free foods. When youre away from home, reusable toaster bags can prevent contact with crumbs .
You May Like: Is Gluten Good For You
Yogurt Parfait With Granola
To make this snack, alternate layers of plain Greek yogurt with berries or other fruit, then top with gluten-free granola and nuts or seeds.
A 1/2-cup serving of plain Greek yogurt provides 10% of the RDI for calcium, a mineral in which many people with celiac disease are deficient (
Gluten-free pizza can be hard to find, but you can make your own with vegetables in place of crust.
Cut zucchini into thick, round slices and brush each side with olive oil. Put the slices on a lined baking sheet in the oven and broil each side for about two minutes, or until they start to brown.
Next, spread pasta sauce on each slice and top with shredded mozzarella or Parmesan cheese. Broil for one minute to melt the cheese.
Peanut Butter And Jelly Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
When it comes to enjoying a PB& J, no child should be left behind because of food allergies. If you nix the bread and replace it with gluten-free oats, your kids can enjoy the timeless snack duo too. Choose natural peanut butter for healthier results or almond butter if your child has a peanut allergy.
Parents love that animal crackers are portable, and kids love how they taste and look. However, most store-bought versions are high in sugar and off-limits to gluten-free kids. Enlist the kids to help you make your own zoo using gluten-free flour, molasses, vanilla, and cinnamon.
Read Also: What Is Gluten Free Pizza Crust Made Of
Quick And Nutritious Gluten
If you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance, avoiding gluten is imperative .
However, you may struggle to find good snack options.
Though many convenient gluten-free snacks are available in stores, some may be unnecessarily high in calories or added sugars.
However, you dont have to rely on packaged foods for your next snack. Its also simple to make your own.
People with celiac disease should choose snacks rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, as dietary restrictions and gluten-related intestinal damage may increase your risk of nutrient deficiencies (
Fruit Leather + Dried Fruit
- Fruit leather is simple and easy. Usually, its just 100% fruit! We get these in bulk since they travel and store so well. But most brands of natural fruit leather are a great choice!
- Thats It fruit bars are a thicker version of fruit leather made with different blends of fruit. They can be a great option!
- Little boxes of raisins are super easy to take on the go!
Recommended Reading: Is Pita Bread Gluten Free
Gluten Free Snacks For Kids
Preparing gluten free snacks for kids can seem like a daunting task. Some standard kid snacks like crackers and pretzels are a no go for kids with gluten sensitivities. Sticking to a diet that is gluten free is essential for some children, and such a foreign way of eating for many of us eating a Western diet.
But how do you know if something has gluten, and how do you make snack time quick and easy? Thats why weve taken the guesswork out of gluten free snacking with our gluten free snacks for kids!
But before we get to the yummy stuff, lets look at what gluten is, why people go gluten free, and how you can promote gluten free snacking for your kids!
Homemade Vs Packaged Snacks
Homemade snacks, like raw veggies and homemade dip, are great because you know exactly which ingredients are in them. However, you may not always have time to whip up something quickly.
Packaged snacks are time-savers for making lunches or for something quick on the go, however, they’re not all healthy, many are loaded with salt, sugar, and fat.
Candy can have unexpected ingredients too.
Read the label even if it says gluten-free on the packaging. Gluten is found in wheat, barley, and rye. Some oats contain gluten. Avoid hidden ingredients like:
Don’t Miss: What Is The Best Gluten Free Bread
Mushroom Kale And Buckwheat Muffins
Buckwheat doesnt just make a mean crepeit also produces a hearty muffin that will keep you full and energized for hours. To make these muffins, Nirvana Cakery adds mushrooms and kale to buckwheat to make savory muffins that make the perfect snack, especially if youre avoiding sugary treats.
Via Nirvana Cakery: Mushroom Kale and Buckwheat Muffins
Veggie Straws + Puffed Snacks
- Veggie Straws are definitely no health food, but its REALLY fun for my kids to get to eat a normal snack that some of their friends are eating now and then. Plus, theyre pretty easy to find and keep on hand.
- Hippeas Snacks. These are like Pirates Booty , but their flavors are also vegan which means theyre safe for dairy-free folks! The vegan white cheddar is our favorite, but weve liked most of the ones weve tried!
Don’t Miss: Are Kraft Singles Gluten Free
Sweet Potato Chips With Tzatziki Sauce
A 1-ounce serving of sweet potato chips packs 37% of the RDI for vitamin A. Its common for people newly diagnosed with celiac disease to be deficient in this vitamin .
For extra flavor, pair the chips with tzatziki sauce, which is a yogurt and cucumber dip. You can buy it premade or make your own.
You can also make your own chips. Toss thin slices of sweet potato with olive oil and sea salt, then spread on a pan and bake at 400 for about 25 minutes or until the edges brown. Flip the chips once during cooking.
Sweet And Crunchy Stuffed Dates
For a simple snack, fill pitted dates with unsweetened, crunchy peanut butter or a mix of chopped walnuts and unsweetened coconut flakes.
Three dates have 5 grams of fiber, which is 18% of the RDI. People on gluten-free diets are sometimes deficient in fiber and may experience constipation, so these dates may aid your digestive system (
18 ).
To make this fruity treat, cut a mango into cubes, then top with fresh-squeezed lime juice. If you like a bit of spice, sprinkle the cubes with chili powder.
Chili powder may either be a blend of spices or simply ground chili peppers. To avoid contamination, make sure yours is labeled gluten-free.
Recommended Reading: Jersey Mike’s Gluten Free Subs
Why Avoid Gluten
Gluten can cause varying degrees of trouble for individuals. Some people have absolutely no reaction to it, and can consume wheat products with no problem. Others have some sensitivity to gluten, and can tolerate it in small amounts. Still others can have severe immune reactions to gluten.
Those with celiac disease have an immune reaction to gluten and must avoid all exposure to gluten. According to the Mayo Clinic, in those who have celiac disease, gluten can cause any number of digestive issues and should be professionally diagnosed for proper treatment.
According to Naturopathic Doctor News and Review, as many as 98% of children with autism have gluten sensitivities, and about 50% of children with ADHD and sensory processing disorders are also gluten sensitive.
With such staggering numbers being sensitive to gluten, gluten free is not just a fad, but is a necessity for many children.
That doesnt mean you should just jump on the gluten free bandwagon, but if your child is having regular digestive issues, work with a doctor or nutritionist to see if gluten is causing the trouble.
What Is Gluten
Gluten, which acts as a glue, is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye that’s used to help give foods their texture and shape. Lots of foods have gluten everything from crackers to cereal to cookies to pasta. Becoming a label-reading expert is important when buying packaged goods.
These uncomfortable symptoms include:
Don’t Miss: Is Grain Free Gluten Free
Is A Gluten
The only people who need to stick to a gluten-free diet are those with celiac disease, a condition in which gluten can damage the small intestine. Kids who are allergic to gluten, like those who have a wheat allergy, should avoid it, too.
For everyone else, gluten is not unhealthy. Avoiding it wont make your kids feel better or have more energy. In fact, trying to cut it out of your childs diet may make it harder for them to get enough key nutrients, like iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin B, and folate. Plus, since so many grains are off-limits, a GF diet can mean theyll have a tough time getting enough fiber.
Its still the overall quality of the foods your child eats that makes the biggest difference in how they feel. Focus on helping them choose a variety of whole, healthy foods and cutting out processed ones.
Continued
Meals and snacks should have plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean protein. Sugary, fried, or salty treats are OK every once in a while, but not every day. That balance is what kids need to have energy for school, feel motivated to play and exercise, and sleep well.
